Weekend to bring high levels of heat, humidity

Temperatures the past seven days have been relatively cool, with average daily readings running about a degree above normal. Tropical heat and humidity will begin to increase on Friday as winds turn southerly, allowing a sticky air mass over the Plains to begin moving toward Chicago.

Readings from Nebraska to western Missouri climbed to the mid and upper 90s on Thursday, with dew points reaching the low 70s in spots. This is the type of air slated to move into the metro area for a three-day period beginning Saturday. Thunderstorms will be possible through Friday night, during the transition to oppressively hot conditions.

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The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the city beginning Saturday morning and continuing through Monday. As the atmosphere heats up aloft, it will act to stifle storm development, leading to mostly sunny skies over the weekend. Hottest weather is expected Sunday, with the date's record high of 96 degrees in jeopardy.